Palaeoclimate & caves

Speleothems, such as stalagmites and flowstones, form under extremely constant physico-chemical conditions over thousands of years, thereby recording changes in meteoric precipitation and air temperature outside the cave. The growth texture of the calcite, the age model, and the geochemical composition are the principal proxies used to identify and quantify variations in environmental parameters.

Our traditional research focus have been caves in the greater Alpine region (map below; click to enlarge). We also collaborate on studies of caves and their deposits in a number of other areas in Europe and elsewhere.